3 hour glucose tolerance test - QUESTION

[malibuconlee]

I haven't read all the replies, but most of them.

I failed my 1 hour test and had to go back for the 3 hour test. I passed, but was borderline. As for results, it will depend on the office/lab as to when you get them. They told me my numbers right after they took them each time. I had mine done at the lab in my ob/gyn practice.

It is a long 3 hours, definitely bring a book. They allowed me to have water, but nothing else.

As for how I felt, after fasting since dinner the night before I was hungry when I woke up. Went in at 8 and had my first blood draw, drank the fluid and about half an hour later didn't feel so great. About an hour and a half later I felt better and between my 2nd and 3rd draws I was hungry again. I ate a HUGE brunch with my DH and a girlfriend after at Cracker Barrel and felt a ton better. Probably not the best thing to eat, but eh, I was HUNGRY!!!

Good luck!!

 

[mefordis]

I just went to cvs and bought a blood glucose monitor. I tested myself (2 hours after eating) and it was 101 -- which is great. I don't know what it will be tomorrow after drinking the syrup, though. These are the values I have to fall below, I understand -- got them on a website:
http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/tests_for_gestational_diabetes

Fasting - 105mg
1 hour - 190mg
2 hours - 165mg
3 hours - 145mg

I plan to take my OWN blood glucose before going in and having them take the blood. It is easier than I thought to prick myself! I wish they would just use my monitor instead of going into a vein and drawing a vial of blood! But, I should be able to leave there knowing what the results are, which will alleviate my stress and also help me relax!!!

Thoughts on this? THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INPUT!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I failed my 1-hour by 1 point with DS2 (no idea what it was with DS1, but I know I passed), and had to do the 3-hour. I work in a hospital, so I just did it there. I was glad too, I was able to work while I waited instead of sitting in the waiting room.

I didn't get the results until the next day, from the OB's office (different hospital than where I work).

I wouldn't bother with sticking myself and having them do it too, the results are what they are. I would assume the reading would be the same with a blood draw as a finger stick, but there must be a reason they use the blood draw. Might be a question to ask while you're waiting!

Good luck!

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

The do the venous stick because it is more accurate than the glucometer. There are several variables with the glucometer that can give you false low or high readings....esp if you haven't been instructed on the proper way to do the stick, how to cleanse the area, etc. Whole blood, which is what they are getting from the vein, versus capillary blood from your finger can differ.

As for the baby getting sugar water....most places do not do this. If you are GD then there is a risk of your baby having low blood sugars after birth and will be tested so many times in the first 24 hours. Some kids just need to be fed right away, they may give formula at first and have you nurse also, but if it is borderline low verging on needing IV fluids, they will tell you to give the baby formula and then they will recheck the glucose about 1/2 hour after eating. In over 20 years of being a nurse and a practitioner, I can honestly say I have never seen a kid not go to breast after one bottle. It take work to breastfeed and get some kids going, but I wouldn't sweat it too much, just make sure you tell them you plan to nurse.

GD isn't anything to mess with, but most women that have it do fine as long as they follow their regime and stick to the diet.

If your sugars got very high while in labor, yes , they would give you insulin to bring it down and then monitor you. If you didn't check sugars at home after you were instructed to do so, you would be classified as noncompliant. They have to explain the risks of not doing so and in not knowing your sugars, you could put your baby and your health at risk.

Most people pass the 3 hours with flying colors. My 1 hour was horrible and then the 3 hour was fine!

 

[claudia]

I just went to cvs and bought a blood glucose monitor. I tested myself (2 hours after eating) and it was 101 -- which is great. I don't know what it will be tomorrow after drinking the syrup, though. These are the values I have to fall below, I understand -- got them on a website:
http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/tests_for_gestational_diabetes

Fasting - 105mg
1 hour - 190mg
2 hours - 165mg
3 hours - 145mg

I plan to take my OWN blood glucose before going in and having them take the blood. It is easier than I thought to prick myself! I wish they would just use my monitor instead of going into a vein and drawing a vial of blood! But, I should be able to leave there knowing what the results are, which will alleviate my stress and also help me relax!!!

Thoughts on this? THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INPUT!

did you make sure that you coded your strips? (Only asking because I can see from your posts that you are a nervous wreck over all of this and you don't need to be more upset this morning) Just remember, if your sugar is normal it will be normal no matter what...the syrup does not change your sugar levels.

 

[mefordis]

did you make sure that you coded your strips? (Only asking because I can see from your posts that you are a nervous wreck over all of this and you don't need to be more upset this morning) Just remember, if your sugar is normal it will be normal no matter what...the syrup does not change your sugar levels.

Yes, I entered the code of my strip into the glucometer (is that what you mean?) This morning I got a 100 after fasting all night. The strip says normal is 101 - 135. I read that for GD passing would mean getting 105 or less for fasting. So I'm hoping when I get into the dr. and they take my blood sugar it doesn't actually go up. I'm a bit uncomfortable only being 5 points below their cutoff for fasting/morning glucose. I know there will be a difference in their readings and mine. I"m hoping it is only slight.

In the meantime I'm addicted to sticking myself!

 

[mefordis]

Thank you for your response. It's a bummer to find out that the blood from the vein they are getting won't match the blood from my hand. In the meantime I'm still going to stick myself before they do, just because I cannot stand not knowing SOMETHING. I hate the waiting period and I'd like to know something before leaving the office. Even if the numbers might be slightly off. I'm hoping it's only slightly. Like less than 5 points difference.

The do the venous stick because it is more accurate than the glucometer. There are several variables with the glucometer that can give you false low or high readings....esp if you haven't been instructed on the proper way to do the stick, how to cleanse the area, etc. Whole blood, which is what they are getting from the vein, versus capillary blood from your finger can differ.

As for the baby getting sugar water....most places do not do this. If you are GD then there is a risk of your baby having low blood sugars after birth and will be tested so many times in the first 24 hours. Some kids just need to be fed right away, they may give formula at first and have you nurse also, but if it is borderline low verging on needing IV fluids, they will tell you to give the baby formula and then they will recheck the glucose about 1/2 hour after eating. In over 20 years of being a nurse and a practitioner, I can honestly say I have never seen a kid not go to breast after one bottle. It take work to breastfeed and get some kids going, but I wouldn't sweat it too much, just make sure you tell them you plan to nurse.

GD isn't anything to mess with, but most women that have it do fine as long as they follow their regime and stick to the diet.

If your sugars got very high while in labor, yes , they would give you insulin to bring it down and then monitor you. If you didn't check sugars at home after you were instructed to do so, you would be classified as noncompliant. They have to explain the risks of not doing so and in not knowing your sugars, you could put your baby and your health at risk.

Most people pass the 3 hours with flying colors. My 1 hour was horrible and then the 3 hour was fine!

 

[NAB]

I had GD for my first but now second.

It is not something to fool with like someone said. I too lost wait after I was put on the diet. I was surprised how little food your really need. And had to test my sugar once a day think can't remember.

I did get tired at the end and cheated knowing I was having a C-section in a week between ultrasounds the baby got big fast!! That week. He was 9lbs 10 1/2 ounces. The sugar makes the baby big !

And your blood sugar goes back down to normal after and they do test the baby for low sugar for the first day I think.

They would not let me go for walks in between testing either because it will alter the results. Good luck with your testing.

 

[mefordis]

Thank you! Did they allow you water during the test? How would water and exercise change the results, I'm wondering? No one has said exactly how and I can't find that information in all of my research.

I think I would make a great, cooperative GD patient - I'm already checking my blood CONSTANTLY after buying a monitor yesterday. So far it is normal but I haven't challenged it with all that sugar yet.

I had GD for my first but now second.

It is not something to fool with like someone said. I too lost wait after I was put on the diet. I was surprised how little food your really need. And had to test my sugar once a day think can't remember.

I did get tired at the end and cheated knowing I was having a C-section in a week between ultrasounds the baby got big fast!! That week. He was 9lbs 10 1/2 ounces. The sugar makes the baby big !

And your blood sugar goes back down to normal after and they do test the baby for low sugar for the first day I think.

They would not let me go for walks in between testing either because it will alter the results. Good luck with your testing.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Good luck this morning! I wouldn't think the testing on your finger would be the same as what the draw. I'm in no way a medical professional though......
Also, I got my monitor free when I had GD. Insurance covered all the supplies.

 

[mefordis]

I'm just wondering if it is that different of a reading, wouldn't they require you to come into the lab to be sure your blood sugar was running normal? GD seems too serious of a condition to allow the patient to use a monitor that isn't accurate. I asked the pharmicist and she said it would be roughly the same, give or take a few points.

We shall see.

Thank you!!

Good luck this morning! I wouldn't think the testing on your finger would be the same as what the draw. I'm in no way a medical professional though......
Also, I got my monitor free when I had GD. Insurance covered all the supplies.

 

[NAB]

When I did mine I had to take the monitor to the hospital with me to get it tested to make sure it was right. I also had to see a dietitian there as well to tell you what you could and could not eat and how much. Then went back to get it adjusted because I was hungry at night.

I think you should just go for the test and not stress out about it. It is what it is and maybe you have nothing to worry about.

Then go into the monitoring stuff if need be. The test results come back pretty fast because it is very important.

 

[malibuconlee]

I just went to cvs and bought a blood glucose monitor. I tested myself (2 hours after eating) and it was 101 -- which is great. I don't know what it will be tomorrow after drinking the syrup, though. These are the values I have to fall below, I understand -- got them on a website:
http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/tests_for_gestational_diabetes

Fasting - 105mg
1 hour - 190mg
2 hours - 165mg
3 hours - 145mg

I plan to take my OWN blood glucose before going in and having them take the blood. It is easier than I thought to prick myself! I wish they would just use my monitor instead of going into a vein and drawing a vial of blood! But, I should be able to leave there knowing what the results are, which will alleviate my stress and also help me relax!!!

Thoughts on this? THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INPUT!

Those numbers are slightly different than what I was told
fasting under 95
1 hour under 180
2 hour under 155
3 hour under 140

Also, for this 3 hour test they just did finger pricks. Good Luck!!

 

[mefordis]

I guess I'm going to flunk today because my fasting is 101 -- just took it. When I woke up it was 100 but it went up a point. I think your numbers are right.

Those numbers are slightly different than what I was told
fasting under 95
1 hour under 180
2 hour under 155
3 hour under 140

Also, for this 3 hour test they just did finger pricks. Good Luck!!

 

[ravencotygrandma]

Just wanted to let you know that you can get different readings on your meter between left and right hands also I have had different reading on different fingers so be careful about assume the correct reading. Good luck.
Sandy

 

[golfgal]

Thank you. This is a very nice post. I haven't heard of anyone flunking who got a 139, so I am hoping I got a false high number because they told me to fast. I hear mixed opinions to fast vs not fast for the 1 hour.

What scares me most about the GD diagnosis (possible) is that I stand a very good chance of getting full blown diabetes later in life if I have it.

So far I've gained only 20 lbs because I've been watching my carbs (except for these 3 days of prep for the 3 hour).

I am seriously thinking of monitoring my blood sugar today after meals with a monitor I will buy at CVS today -- just to calm my nerves.

Thank you all for your replies!!! I'd love to hear more!!!!

I think you are being overly paranoid about this and your worry is worse for your baby then a slightly elevated blood sugar reading. People go through this all the time and are fine, just relax until you know there is something to worry about.

 

[mefordis]

I know, but this is my nature to worry. I don't like things hanging over my head. At least I've conquered my fear of needle pricks. As long as I don't need insulin I guess it won't be that bad.

I think you are being overly paranoid about this and your worry is worse for your baby then a slightly elevated blood sugar reading. People go through this all the time and are fine, just relax until you know there is something to worry about.

 

[malibuconlee]

I guess I'm going to flunk today because my fasting is 101 -- just took it. When I woke up it was 100 but it went up a point. I think your numbers are right.

I'm sorry. Please try not to worry (but i know I did, easier said than done, huh? ) How long has it been since you ate last night? Just go in there and see what they say. You and the baby will be just fine. Better to know what's going on and if you need to make changes.

Let us know how it goes. I'm rooting for you!!

 

[claudia]

Yes, I entered the code of my strip into the glucometer (is that what you mean?) This morning I got a 100 after fasting all night. The strip says normal is 101 - 135. I read that for GD passing would mean getting 105 or less for fasting. So I'm hoping when I get into the dr. and they take my blood sugar it doesn't actually go up. I'm a bit uncomfortable only being 5 points below their cutoff for fasting/morning glucose. I know there will be a difference in their readings and mine. I"m hoping it is only slight.

In the meantime I'm addicted to sticking myself!

sounds like you are in great shape....best of luck

 

[mefordis]

Okay, I'm back. It wasn't so bad, especially since the technician who too my blood was sooo nice. She let me use my glucometer after she drew the blood, and let me take the blood from the vein that was still leaking. Though she warned me that the results would not match up perfectly. For what it's worth, here is the reading I got using my glucometer:

(I am using the goal values a previous poster wrote in this thread)


Fasting: Goal: < 95 Actual: 106 (flunked)
1 hour: Goal: < 180 Actual: 167 (passed)
2 hour: Goal: < 155 Actual: 155 (just passed, or borderline passed)
3 hour: Goal: < 140 Actual: 68

Not sure what they would say if they got the same results as above. I'm supposed to pass 3/4 and I was right on the line once, and flunked once. Not sure if that would make me GD.

I went to A&P right after and got a bunch of stuff to eat. I was so shaky and felt like I was going to pass out I wolfed down a bagel and cream cheese in the car!

Thank you so much for all your support! I'll let you know what the DR. office says. If I passed, I'm giving my glucometer away. Any takers?